Trail Mix

by Larry Scott, Trails Chair

“Port Ludlow – A Destination Hiking Village”

Cookies at Ludlow Creek bridge crossing. Photo credit: Larry Scott

So, “What have you done for me lately?” is a fairly common refrain when circumstances slow someone’s or some entity’s common or usual progress. Or, on some occasions, it is simply bureaucracy that hinders forward progress. In Trails case, it is usually Mother Nature that primarily effects progress. However, Port Ludlow has a dedicated cadre of folks that do not migrate with the geese. Instead, staying right here in our beautiful community, they answer the “Fun Day” call and turn out to uphold the Trails’ motto. So, what has Trails done this winter while waiting to extend the Oak Bay Trail (OBT) past the cemetery and connect to the Around the Bay Trail (ABT)?

1. McCormick Railroad Trail – rerouted at four locations onto marginally higher footing to minimize muddy locations.

2. Creek View Loop – widened (approximately 30’ segment) in an area near the Logging Bridge crossing.

3. Olympic Terrace Loop – new lumber crossing installed over a traditional wet/muddy location.

4. Osprey Trail – overall TLC cleanup, and then a massive multi-tree blowdown cleared off the trail.

5. Talbot Trail – felled dangerous leaners and cut material into 4’ thick biscuits/cookies for use at Creek View Loop/Interpretive junction.

6. Timberton Loop – at multiple sections, years-long mud buildup cleared, and rock distributed to minimize mud accumulation for hikers and bikers.

7.  Creek View Loop/Interpretive junction – angle iron added to help brace the handrails thus lessening rail movement.

8.  Creek View Loop/Interpretive junction – 30 round sections (biscuits/cookies) laid for stepping blocks to raise hiking surface above mud (see photo).

   
   

In addition to the above, we have completed the process for a grant from Jefferson County to update our Hiking Maps which will include all of our new trails built since the last map publication in 2024. You can visit the PLVC-Trails website portludlowvillagecouncil.org/committees/trails or the Port Ludlow Hiking Club website portludlowhikingclub.com to see the latest edition.

So, that’s what the PLVC Trails Committee has been doing for Port Ludlow lately. And it takes a “Village” of volunteers to accomplish it all from month to month.

If you want to come out for a “Fun Day” of camaraderie while helping to improve our community, send me an email at mclgscott@cablespeed.com. “Let’s Keep Improving our Trails.”